GERD

Disease Overview:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your esophagus. Many people experience acid reflux from time to time. However, when acid reflux happens repeatedly over time, it can cause GERD.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which might be worse at night or while lying down
  • Backwash (regurgitation) of food or sour liquid
  • Upper abdominal or chest pain
  • Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Sensation of a lump in your throat
  • If you have nighttime acid reflux, you might also experience:
  • An ongoing cough
  • Inflammation of the vocal cords (laryngitis)
  • New or worsening asthma

Cure:

Most people are able to manage the discomfort of GERD with lifestyle changes and medications.

Gastric Ulcers

Disease Overview:

Stomach ulcersStomach ulcers, also known as gastric ulcers, are sores that develop on the lining of the stomach. You can also get ulcers in part of the intestine just beyond the stomach, which are called duodenal ulcers.

Cure:

Stomach ulcers happen when there’s damage to the layer that protects the stomach lining from the acids in your stomach. This is usually a result of an infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, taking anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin – particularly if they're taken for a long time or at high doses.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Discomfort between meals or during the night (duodenal ulcer)
  • Discomfort when you eat or drink (gastric ulcer)
  • Stomach pain that wakes you up at night.
  • Feel full fast.
  • Bloating, burning, or dull pain in your stomach.
  • Comes and goes days or weeks at a time.
  • The discomfort lasts for minutes or hour.

Gastroparesis

Disease Overview:

Gastroparesis is a chronic (long lasting) disorder where the stomach does not empty the contents in a normal way, without there being an obstruction or structural abnormality. The nerves that help the stomach muscles to move food out of the stomach don’t work effectively, so the stomach empties too slowly. It can affect people of all ages but is more common in adults and women.

Cure:

The cause of gastroparesis is usually unknown. Sometimes it's a complication of diabetes, and some people develop gastroparesis after surgery. Certain medications, such as opioid pain relievers, some antidepressants, and high blood pressure and allergy medications, can lead to slow gastric emptying and cause similar symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Discomfort between meals or during the night (duodenal ulcer)
  • Discomfort when you eat or drink (gastric ulcer)
  • Stomach pain that wakes you up at night.
  • Feel full fast.
  • Bloating, burning, or dull pain in your stomach.
  • Comes and goes days or weeks at a time.
  • The discomfort lasts for minutes or hour.

Lactose Intolerance

Disease Overview:

People with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest the sugar (lactose) in milk. As a result, they have diarrhea, gas and bloating after eating or drinking dairy products. The condition, which is also called lactose malabsorption, is usually harmless, but its symptoms can be uncomfortable.

Diagnosis:

Most people with lactose intolerance can manage the condition without having to give up all dairy foods. The signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually begin from 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach cramps.
  • Bloating
  • Gas